The 15th annual World Lupus Day will help to shine a light on the often misunderstood illness.
WOODSTOCK - An often misunderstood disease is being brought to the forefront today for World Lupus Day.
Jan Ropp, diagnosed at 30 years old and has lived with chronic daily pain for the past 30 years now in her 60s.
Ropp is the local coordinator for the Lupus walk in Woodstock, and she says there are many misconceptions about the illness.
"All these immune systems for people, they're very hard because you can't tell by looking at us somethings wrong and yet we hurt so bad"
Ropp continues to say that you could know someone with lupus without knowing that they have lupus.
"She's a big healthy girl, why is she off so long. You know I've heard that many times. It's very hurtful when they don't understand that every bone in my body feels like it's broke, but you can't see that.
It is estimated that 15,000 to 50,000 Canadians are suffering from Lupus.
The Lupus Walk is taking place in Woodstock on June 9th at Southside Park. Registration begins at 10 a.m. with the walk starting at 11. Last year close to 100 peoplep attended the evente helping to raise $10,000.
Lupus Ontario is now in it's 40th year, with the office located in Markham. It was started 40 years ago by two women who were diagnosed with Lupus and wanted to do more to help further research efforts.

Tillsonburg Candidate Profile - Ron Gasparetto
Interview with the Acting Mayor - June 15th, 2026
Wienerfest Back in Burford Next Weekend
Two Championships, One Weekend
Five Children Killed in Mapleton Township Crash
Woodstock Candidate Profile - Dave Bloxsidge
Pride Family Day in Museum Square
Oxford County Seeking Input for Future
UPDATE: Oxford OPP Find Missing Teen
Oxford OPP Investigating Stolen PRIDE Flags
Woodstock Candidate Profile - Maureen Ralph
2026 World Cup of Soccer is Underway
Navy Vets Reveal First Round of Commits
Pickup Truck vs. Transport Truck Collision in SWOX
Interview with the Warden - June 11th, 2026
Online Harms Legislation Tabled in Ottawa
Royal Roads Family Fun Day Returns!
Two Vehicles Collide Southwest of Scotland
SWOX Firefighters Respond to Car Fire
Hospitals to Receive Training for Paediatric Emergencies
Comments
Add a comment